Clean and Tidy - June

R (Jason's sister) and I did a project together a little while back. Jen from iheartorganizing shows how to make these "Not So Plane Organizing Bins" using  clear wall pockets, spray paint, vinyl cut-outs and scrapbooking paper. R made some for her son and her craft room. I made a couple for my girls S (8) and R (5). I love this idea so much and it turned out so well that I have to share it with you!

I found these wall pockets at Staples 3 for $25. Not super cheap but not too steep either.

We bought some white vinyl and cut out these shapes on our Cricut Expression (a gift to R and I from Jason's parents). It goes back and forth between our two houses, although I feel as though R insists on it being here a lot more often, what a giving sister! :)

We took them outside and lay them on a piece of cardboard for spray painting them. (It took two coats to get a nice solid cover.) Once it was completely dry we removed the vinyl stickers. We found it helped to use a knife to very gently lift the edge and then after that everything peeled off nicely leaving nice clean edges.

The finished product. I cut out pink cardstock to fit nicely inside, covered the entire sheet with packing tape (so it wouldn't tear or fray after continued use) and then taped it in with scotch tape. I love the look!  

They are now being used to keep the girls books off their beds. I think that S may need a second one, because I just found two extra books up on her bed! :)

Books for 2011

Jason and I both got a few new books for Christmas. Yay! :) I love reading and though I go through spurts, I certainly read my fair share from year to year. New books make me excited to get reading and in my excitement I thought it would be fun to make a list of books I'd like to read in 2011. As I check the books off my list I will try and find the time to write a post sharing my thoughts on each one.

So - without further ado - here's my "books I'd like to read in 2011 wishlist" (in no particular order):

For the first time:
1) The Orthodox Heretic by Peter Rollins and Rob Bell
2) Home Court Advantage by Kevin Leman
3) Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne
4) For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn
5) For Men Only by Shauti and Jeff Feldhahn
6) Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge
7) Wild at Heart by John Eldredge
8) Every Child Needs a Praying Mom by Fern Nichols
9) Jesus Wants to Save the Christians by Rob Bell and Don Golden
10) Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
11) Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver

Books I'd love to read again:
12) A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers
13) Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers
14) The Divine Romance by Gene Edwards
15) The Shack by William P. Young
16) Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Food for Thought

I've just started reading this book. It's called "crazy love: overwhelmed by a relentless God" by Francis Chan. Jason and I are reading it together (he's further along then I am) and while reading the first chapter there were a few parts he stopped to read out loud to me. Pretty thought provoking stuff. Now I'm reading the first chapter and I feel the need to share part of it with all of you. (Big surprise, right?)

Here it is, I hope you like it is much as I do! 

"We need to stop giving people excuses not to believe in God. You've probably heard the expression 'I believe in God, just not organized religion.' I don't think people would say that if the church truly lived like we are called to live. The expression would change to 'I can't deny what the church does, but I don't believe in your God.' At least then they'd address their rejection of God rather than use the church as a scape goat."

Special thanks to "brother Tim" for the buying the book for us as a gift. We value your recommendations! :)